"Sounds like a plan," Shiranui replied.

“Sounds good with me,” Jen said as she is curious about the Pokémon in this region.

The heroes returned to the Pokemon Center and Liam handed over the three Pokemon for healing. Meanwhile, a TV in the background was muted but playing a news broadcast. The ticker along the bottom commented on in an increase in the number of missing people reported from across the Orange Islands.

Aura hit the unmute button for Jen to hear the news. “I wonder who or a Pokémon to make people go missing,” Jen said as she pets her Lucario.

"Some Pokémon have been reported to abduct people," Shiranui stated, "Hypno and Drifloon are notorious for kidnapping children and a scientist was reported to be spirited away by Unown to Arceus-knows-where; but for that to happen all over the Orange Archipelago, it seems illogical for it to be a single person or Pokémon without further information.

"I mean if you recall my battle with Piers, Malamar can control people," Liam reminded. "Beeheeem also are known for that."

“Do we have time to see if we can help,” Jen ask as she could not help her instincts in helping people and pokemon?

"We may if we warp there," Shiranui answered, reminding Liam and Jen of how they got to Azalea Town from Galar. At that point, his phone let him know that his challenger is approaching his location.

Liam commented that he is concerned about it, but if there are no leads, there isn't a lot they cab do. The Orange Islands are numerous and they wouldn't have enough man power to effectively search.

Jen is thinking if they get any leads they will report it to Officer Jenny. A Bailey limps over to Jen to rub up against her. I’m i

"Unless someone from over there requests our assistance, it's not our business," Shiranui replied before he got called to retrieve his Pokémon. At that point a female voice chimed in, "Shiranui-kun, long time no see." The voice belonged to Aya of the Fuchsia Gym.
"アヤちゃん、どうぞよろしく、*" Shiranui replied.
"Rotom is waiting outside for us," Aya stated, "Don't keep it waiting." With that, Aya left the Pokémon Centre.

* Translation: Likewise, Aya

"Unless someone from over there requests our assistance, it's not our business,"

Liam nodded in agreement. "I fell bad for them, but it is way out of any sort of jurisdiction our regional championship titles could give us."

Jen may not have a championship title but she can still help as she pets the Bailey.

"Well, we probably need to go to Shiranui's match now," Liam said.

Shiranui caught up with Aya and the Rotom Drone at the outskirts of Azalea Town near Ilex Forest where there were fewer Slowpoke. He had made an adjustment to his party in preparation for his battle. "Trainers Aya and Shiranui, this PWCS sanctioned battle will be a 2-on-2 single battle with no time limit," the Rotom Drone recited, "Please send out your opening Pokémon."

"Go Salazzle!"
"Mogura, I choose you!" Aya sent out a Salazzle while Shiranui sent out his Excadrill. "Under normal circumstances, the type advantage goes both ways," Shiranui mused, "But Aya favours the Poison aspect so Mogura may still get poisoned at worst thanks to that Salazzle's ability."

Jen felt sorry for the Bailey but she knows she be released back into the wild or be adopted by a trainer. Jen and Aura soon catch up to their friends to watch Shiranui battle.

"Salazzle vs Excadrill. Begin!" the Rotom Drone called.
"Salazzle, Poison Gas!" Aya called.
"Mogura, Earthquake!" Shiranui called. Salazzle breathed out a poisonous gas and through her Corrosion ability, managed to poison Mogura. Mogura jumped into the air, brought her claws to her head and drilled into the ground, causing a quake that shook Salazzle into a one-hit knockout.
"Salazzle is unable to battle," Rotom Drone arbitrated, "Excadrill wins!"

Aya switched out her downed Salazzle and sent out her Venomoth. "So your Venonat finally evolved," Shiranui noted.
"To cut a long story short," Aya explained, "Lots of training in Pokémon jujitsu to the point of achieving ichidan*, defeated a challenger back at the Fuchsia Gym and my Venonat at the time evolved into the Venomoth you see. Are you sticking with your Excadrill?"
"I think I'll switch," Shiranui answered, recalling Mogura and sending out his Aerodactyl, Kohaku.

"Venomoth vs Aerodactyl. Begin!" Rotom Drone called.
"Venomoth, Sludge Bomb!"
"Kohaku, Stone Edge!" As Shiranui's Aerodactyl swooped down with stones orbiting her head, Venomoth fired a gob of sludge at Kohaku and scored a direct hit, poisoning the Aerodactyl and leaving it somewhat blinded.
"Kohaku, Roost at the double!"
"Venomoth, Venoshock attack!" Kohaku didn't need to be told twice as she landed and proceeded to wipe the sludge from around her eyes. Venomoth spat some poison at Kohaku and landed a hit, the poison reacting with the toxins Kohaku previously felt and causing extra damage. "Venomoth, Substitute!"
"Kohaku, wait for it…" As Venomoth made a Substitute, the substitute fell to the ground. On impact, Shiranui called, "Now, Kohaku, Stone Edge!" The Aerodactyl stomped the ground with her foot and a bunch of sharp stalagmites burst out of the ground, breaking Venomoth's Substitute.
"Venomoth, Sludge Bomb!"
"Kohaku, Fly!" Kohaku took to the sky and increased her altitude to evade Venomoth's Sludge Bomb.
"Venomoth, Venoshock!" Shiranui's Aerodactyl dived down at Venomoth and struck the moth at high speed with a critical hit. Winded and giddy, Venomoth crash landed into the ground.
"Venomoth is unable to battle," Rotom Drone arbitrated, "Aerodactyl wins! The winner of this battle is Shiranui Tsukiko of Ecruteak City! Congratulations, Shiranui, your rank is now high enough to be inducted into the Ultra Class." Shiranui was almost speechless when he heard he was in the top 100 trainers in the PWCS. "Thank you, Rotom," he replied and the Rotom Drone flew off in pursuit of its next battle.

"Mark my words, Shiranui;" Aya vowed, "You and I will battle in the Masters Eight and may the best shinobi win."
"I would not have it any other way, Aya," Shiranui replied. The trainers bode each other goodbye and Shiranui continued to digest being in the Ultra Class.

* 1st-level black belt

"Great job you two," Liam praised.

“Amazing job to both of you,” Jen said as the hurt Bailey follow her.

"Thanks," Shiranui replied, recalling a very happy Kohaku, "Is there anything else we need to do before we make our way back to Hammerlocke?"